Document 4: saum song bo describing building the
ong bo describing building the pedestal of the statue of liberty 1880.
a paper was presented to me yesterday for inspection, and i found it to be specially drawn up for subscription among my countrymen toward the pedestal fund of the statue of liberty in new york. seeing that the heading is an appeal to american citizens, to their love of country and liberty, i feel that
my countrymen and myself are honored in being thus appealed to as citizens in the cause of liberty. but
the word liberty makes me think of the fact that this country is the land of liberty for men of all nations
except the chinese. i consider it as an insult to us chinese to call on us to contribute toward building in
this land a pedestal for a statue of liberty. that statue represents liberty holding a torch which lights the
passage of those of all nations who come into this country. but are the chinese allowed to come? as for
the chinese who are here, are they allowed to enjoy liberty as men of all other nationalities enjoy it? are
they allowed to go about everywhere free from the insults, abuse, assaults, wrongs and injuries from
which men of other nationalities are free?
12. what does this document tell us about the time and place in which it was created? cite evidence from the text to support your response.
13. what hypocrisy is being illustrated by the document? explain.
14. was the author biased in any way that may influence his perspective? explain.